This is the first annual update to The State of the Nation's Ecosystems , which was originally published in 2002. This web-only update includes new data for 26 indicators (more than 40% of the 2002 report's indicators with full or partial data) and includes first-time data for one indicator for which no data were previously available.

Update Overview (PDF, 2 pages)

Summary of Changes (by ecosystem type)

Summary of Changes (by indicator topic)

The following indicators have been updated:

Core National Indicators

Ecosystem Extent
Movement of Nitrogen
Chemical Contamination
Plant Growth Index
Production of Food and Fiber and Water Withdrawals
Recreation

Coasts and Oceans

Contamination in Bottom Sediments
Condition of Bottom-Dwelling Animals
Commercial Fish and Shellfish Landings

Farmlands

Total Cropland
Major Crop Yields
Agricultural Inputs and Outputs
Monetary Value of Agricultural Production

Forests

Forest Area and Ownership
Forest Types
Forest Management Categories
Carbon Storage
Forest Age
Forest Disturbance: Fire, Insects, Disease
Timber Harvest
Timber Growth and Harvest
Recreation in Forests (first-time data)

Fresh Waters

Waterborne Human Disease Outbreaks

Grasslands and Shrublands

Land Use
Production of Cattle

Urban and Suburban Areas

Urban Air Quality

Note that the PDF files of actual indicator pages, which are available for download throughout this updated website, have not been modified. In other words, they provide access to the original text available in the 2002 State of the Nation's Ecosystems and do not include new data and text edits, which are available on the updated website.